The Book Report: Ron Charles on new summer reads (May 25)
By Washington Post book critic Ron Charles
Here are five hot new books to check out this summer:
Penguin Press
If you're trying to figure out what's happening with artificial intelligence, pick up "Empire of AI." Journalist Karen Hao investigates the rise of OpenAI and its visionary co-founder, Sam Altman.
With alarming detail, she shows how this once idealistic company became everything it said it would not be, even as it remakes and gobbles up the world.
READ AN EXCERPT: "Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI" by Karen Hao
"Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI" by Karen Hao (Penguin Press), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org
karendhao.com
Viking
Everybody knows about Amelia Earhart's mysterious final flight. But what about the years before she disappeared?
In "The Aviator and the Showman" (to be published July 15 by Viking), Laurie Gwen Shapiro draws on newly-uncovered sources to explore the famed pilot's life and her marriage to wealthy publisher George Putnam. Theirs was a relationship that lifted love, publicity and especially risk to mythic heights.
READ AN EXCERPT: "The Aviator and the Showman" by Laurie Gwen Shapiro
"The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon" by Laurie Gwen Shapiro (Viking), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, available July 15 via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org
lauriegwenshapiro.com
Simon & Schuster/Summit Books
Take a chance on a new writer, and you may be delighted: Rob Franklin's debut novel, "Great Black Hope," follows a young African American man whose family launched him for success – but after an arrest for drug possession and the death of a close friend, his once-bright future feels anything but guaranteed.
READ AN EXCERPT: "Great Black Hope" by Rob Franklin
"Great Black Hope" by Rob Franklin (Simon & Schuster/Summit Books), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, available June 10 via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org
robert-michael-franklin.com
MIRA/HarperCollins
What better escape this July than a novel called "A Summer for the Books"? Michelle Lindo-Rice tells the story of Jewel, a bestselling writer, and Shelby, a bookstore owner – two old friends who went their separate ways years ago ... but! When Shelby loses her memory after a bike accident and reaches out to Jewel for help, how can she refuse?
READ AN EXCERPT: "A Summer for the Books" by Michelle Lindo-Rice
"A Summer for the Books" by Michelle Lindo-Rice (MIRA/HarperCollins), in Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio formats, available July 15 via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org
michellelindorice.com
HarperCollins
Jess Walter, the bestselling author of "Beautiful Ruins," is back with a new novel called "So Far Gone." It's about Rhys Kinnick, a journalist who's been living off the grid. But when his grandchildren are kidnapped by a right-wing militia, Rhys is forced back into the world – and he charges off on a wild adventure to save them.
READ AN EXCERPT: "So Far Gone" by Jess Walter
"So Far Gone" by Jess Walter (HarperCollins), in Hardcover, Large Print Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio formats, available June 10 via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org
jesswalter.com
That's it for the Book Report. For these and other suggestions about what to read this summer, talk with your local bookseller or librarian.
I'm Ron Charles. Until next time, read on!
For more info:
Produced by Cameron Jimenez. Editor: Carol Ross.
For more reading recommendations, check out these previous Book Report features from Ron Charles:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
38 minutes ago
- Fox News
Trace Gallagher: These pictures are worth a million votes
All times eastern Legends & Lies: The Patriots Legends & Lies: The Patriots FOX News Radio Live Channel Coverage
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shaq Announces He's Not Watching Rest of NBA Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder played a complete game from start to finish on Sunday evening, tying the NBA Finals at one game apiece with the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder were able to defend their home court with a dominant performance on both sides of the ball, getting their first win of the series after their thrilling and dramatic Game 1 loss. Advertisement The Finals have delivered on the hype so far, with stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting up big numbers and making iconic moments. Basketball fans are eagerly awaiting the next game in the series, but one former NBA champion says he won't be watching. After the Thunder tied the series on Sunday night, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith joined NBA TV for post game coverage. O'Neal took the opportunity to express his gratitude that he could leave after Game 2, as Charles Barkley would join post game coverage for the next two games in Indiana. 'Indiana stole one. I'm just glad it's not the old format, that 2-3-2. Remember that format? That 2-3-2? So now we have a series. I won't even be watching,' O'Neal admitted. Advertisement The old Finals format would have resulted in three straight games in Indiana, which could have had adverse effects on Oklahoma City - the higher seed - playing three straight games on the road. 'I'm gonna be in the Bahamas," O'Neal said. His fellow panelists reminded him that he could still watch the game from his vacation, but he doubled down. 'Not in the ocean,' O'Neal said, affirming his stance. Some fans were able to enjoy O'Neal's candor as a funny moment, but some have expressed concern and outrage about how he's covered the league this season. Earlier this year, O'Neal admitted to not watching the Detroit Pistons despite the fact that they were a playoff team and had been one of the most compelling stories in basketball. Advertisement O'Neal, Barkley, Smith and Ernie Johnson will be heading to ESPN next year for a revival of "Inside the NBA." The show has come under fire for the lack of actual basketball analysis from some, but O'Neal's comments seem to indicate that more of the same could be on the way, even at a new network. Shaq Announces He's Not Watching Rest of NBA Finals first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 9, 2025
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
American Black Film Festival Partners With the Art in Black Foundation to Introduce The South African Collective
EXHIBITION TO DEBUT JUNE 12–14 DURING ABFF IN MIAMI BEACH MIAMI BEACH, Fla., June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with the Art in Black Foundation to present The South African Collective—a debut curatorial art exhibition spotlighting five dynamic visual artists from South Africa. The exhibit, open exclusively to festival attendees, will be on view during ABFF, taking place June 12–14, 2025, at the New World Center in Miami Beach. The catalog of available artwork is HERE. Curated by Allana Foster Finley of Cur8Africa, The South African Collective is the inaugural fine art initiative of the Art in Black Foundation—founded by Ellis Friday, a visionary young creative committed to cultural connection, with support from his parents, Nicole and Jeff Friday. This curated experience marks an evolution in ABFF's programming, expanding the festival's cultural offerings to include global visual art in dialogue with Black film, media, and storytelling. The idea for this collaboration was born during an immersive art tour through South Africa led by curator Allana Foster Finley and attended by Jeff Friday. Inspired by the depth of artistic talent and cultural expression, the journey laid the foundation for what would become this inaugural showcase. "This exhibition is an exciting step forward in ABFF's mission to uplift global Black creatives," said Jeff Friday, founder of ABFF. "We are proud to provide a platform where African art and cinematic storytelling can exist in conversation, inspiring deeper cultural connection." Featured Artists: Steve Maphoso - A self-taught Angolan-born artist, Maphoso blends acrylic and charcoal to create emotionally resonant portraits. His current series centers on twin boys guided by ancestral intention, exploring themes of migration, ritual, and brotherhood through symbolic narrative and layered abstraction. Thabiso Dakamela - With roots in Venda and Ndebele heritage, Dakamela's Afrocentric work examines identity and emotion. His expressive style—often rendered in powerful blues—has earned national recognition, and his DKS Project House supports emerging artists in South Africa. Assan Taylor - Known for textured portraits combining oil, charcoal, gold leaf, and found materials, Taylor's work bridges tradition and innovation. His bold, multilayered pieces reflect the vibrancy of contemporary Southern African culture and human connection. Siyabonga Mlambi - Originating from South Africa's Eastern Cape, Mlambi's art is deeply rooted in Nguni tradition and modern innovation. His unique style, Khanda-Art Superblur African Synthetic Cubism, employs fabric, stones, and mixed media to evoke unity, imagination, and spiritual energy. Ayanda Moyo - A Zimbabwean artist whose work in charcoal and acrylic explores identity and culture, Moyo's emotionally rich paintings invite deep reflection on the shared human experience through bold, expressive techniques. Together, these artists bring their individual perspectives to a collective narrative that intersects visual art with the broader mission of ABFF—celebrating and amplifying Black stories worldwide. About the Art in Black FoundationFormerly the Film Life Foundation, the Art in Black Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to uplifting works that reflect the richness and diversity of the Black experience. The organization aims to bridge communities through storytelling across all artistic mediums, highlighting the humanity and creativity of people of African descent. About the American Black Film Festival (ABFF)Founded in 1997, the American Black Film Festival is the leading festival dedicated to showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent. Now in its 29th year, ABFF continues to serve as a vital platform for emerging and established Black artists, attracting attendees from around the world to celebrate the power of storytelling in all its forms. For updates, visit and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook. Download Artists' Headshots HERE Catalog of Artwork HERE View source version on Contacts Media Contact: abff@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
